From The National Safety Council:

Standees on the School Bus

Approximately 25 million pupils are transported on school buses each day.

Approximately 25 million pupils are transported on school buses each day. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) Highway Safety Program Standard Guideline 17 specifically states that every student must be seated before the bus is in motion. Under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 222, school bus passenger safety is accomplished either through "compartmentalization" or lap belts, depending on the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of the bus. Some states and school districts have policies that allow students to stand on school buses. Standees are not afforded any protection in crashes or sudden driving maneuvers.

Since the safety of pupils in school buses is of great concern to the public, and to parents in particular, the School Transportation Section of the National Safety Council recommends that a seat be provided for each child who rides on a school bus and that each child be seated before the bus is put in motion.

Information and recommendations are compiled from sources believed to be reliable. The National Safety Council makes no guarantee as to and assumes no responsibility for the correctness, sufficiency or completeness of such information or recommendations. Other or additional safety measures may be required under particular circumstances.
Last Revised: 04/09